A computer implemented system for assisting an operator in designing and customizing a virtual luminaire by selecting options. As the operator selects options, the system may display a sample of that option or a sample of the final luminaire. The system may adjust the options that the operator may select to prevent the operator from selecting incompatible or undesirable combinations of options. The system may make recommendations for placement of an option or additional options. The system may stores copies of the luminaire, usable for incorporation into documents or files that can be printed or submitted electronically. Additional information such as pricing or inventory data may also be provided.
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8. A method for displaying at an installation site a virtual luminaire, the method comprising:
scanning an image of the site to produce a digital file;
loading the digital file into a memory;
storing images of luminaire parts in the memory as digital files;
selecting some of the luminaire parts;
forming a virtual luminaire from the selected parts; and
displaying the virtual luminaire and the site image together.
16. A method for displaying at an installation site a virtual luminaire, the method comprising:
scanning an image of the site to produce a digital file;
loading the digital file into a memory;
storing images of luminaire parts in the memory as digital files;
selecting some of the luminaire parts;
forming a virtual luminaire from the selected parts; displaying the virtual luminaire and the site image together; and
photographing the site to produce the scanned site image.
1. An apparatus for designing luminaires from sets of images of interchangeable parts such that one part from each set fits with one part from each of the other sets to form a complete luminaire, the apparatus comprising:
a display device having a screen;
a memory for storing images of the parts;
a microprocessor programmed to display the stored images;
an input device for selecting one part from each set required to form a complete luminaire; and
the microprocessor being programmed to assemble on the screen an image of the complete luminaire from the selected parts.
3. A system for designing and ordering luminaires, comprising:
a user interface including a display for selecting parts of a luminaire from different designs and for displaying a luminaire composed of the selected parts;
a copy buffer capable of storing copies of the luminaire, usable for incorporating the luminaire into a document or a file that can be printed or submitted electronically; and
a printer for printing images of luminaires composed of selected parts usable for submission of orders by hardcopy, or for filing of hardcopies including of orders submitted electronically.
15. A system for designing and ordering luminaires, comprising:
a user interface including a display for selecting parts of a luminaire from different designs and for displaying a luminaire composed of the selected parts;
a copy buffer capable of storing copies of the luminaire, usable for incorporating the luminaire into a document or a file that can be printed or submitted electronically; and
a printer for printing images of luminaries composed of selected parts usable for submission of orders by hardcopy, or for filing of hardcopies including of orders submitted electronically;
wherein the document or file is a microsoft word document or file that is submitted by electronic mail.
7. A method for designing luminaires from at least two sets of interchangeable parts such that one part from each set fits one part from each of the other sets to form a complete luminaire, the method comprising:
receiving input via a computer interface, the input representing a selection of interchangeable parts from each set;
displaying a likeness of the complete luminaire or a partially complete luminaire composed of the selection of interchangeable parts; and
storing the likeness of the complete luminaire or the partially complete luminaire for the purpose of incorporating said likeness of the complete luminaire or the partially complete luminaire into a document or a file that can be printed or submitted electronically.
13. An apparatus for designing luminaires from sets of images of interchangeable parts such that one part from each set fits with one part from each of the other sets to form a complete luminaire, the apparatus comprising:
a display device having a screen;
a memory for storing images of the parts;
a microprocessor programmed to display the stored images;
an input device for selecting one part from each set required to form a complete luminaire; and
the microprocessor being programmed to assemble on the screen an image of the complete luminaire from the selected parts;
wherein the microprocessor is programmed to display the stored images such that all the selected parts of one set are displayed at one time to the exclusion of the other sets.
17. An apparatus for designing luminaires from sets of images of parts to form a complete luminaire, the apparatus comprising:
a display device having a screen;
a memory for storing the images of the parts;
a microprocessor programmed to display the stored images;
an input device for selecting a part from each set required to form a complete luminaire; and
the microprocessor being programmed to assemble on the screen an image of the complete luminaire from the selected parts;
wherein at least one set has images of at least two or more interchangeable parts that fit with at least one part from each of the other sets to form a complete luminaire, and wherein the microprocessor is programmed to display and assemble on the screen the selected parts to form a complete luminaire.
12. An apparatus for designing luminaires from sets of images of interchangeable parts such that one part from each set fits with one part from each of the other sets to form a complete luminaire, the apparatus comprising:
a display device having a screen;
a memory for storing images of the parts;
a microprocessor programmed to display the stored images;
an input device for selecting one part from each set required to form a complete luminaire; and
the microprocessor being programmed to assemble on the screen an image of the complete luminaire from the selected parts;
wherein the sets of images of interchangeable parts include at least two sets from a group of a set of poles, a set of bases, and a set of lamps and wherein the microprocessor is programmed to display and assemble on the screen the selected parts to form a complete luminaire.
14. A system for designing and ordering luminaires, comprising:
a user interface including a display for selecting parts of a luminaire from different designs and for displaying a luminaire composed of the selected pans;
a copy buffer capable of storing copies of the luminaire, usable for incorporating the luminaire into a document or a file that can be printed or submitted electronically; and
a printer for printing images of luminaires composed of selected parts usable for submission of orders by hardcopy, or for filing of hardcopies including of orders submitted electronically;
wherein the display allows the luminaire to be viewed in the context of a selectable site and wherein the selectable site is selected either from digital pictures of sites provided by a luminaire seller or manufacturer or digital pictures provided by a customer or operator.
2. The apparatus of
4. The system of
5. The system of
6. The system of
wherein the printer can print images of luminaires within or without the selected site.
9. The method of
10. The method of
11. The method of
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This application is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 11/077,186, filed Mar. 10, 2005 (now abandoned), which claimed the benefit of the filing date of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/551,942, filed Mar. 10, 2004, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
The present invention relates generally to a computer-implemented system for designing luminaires, and more particularly to an environment for designing and submitting orders for luminaires.
Customarily, a luminaire is constructed from a number of separate parts, e.g., a base, a pole, and a lamp. Sometimes, the lamp is attached to the pole by one or more arms. A customer can select from a number of choices for each part of the luminaire. Traditionally, a customer selects the parts for the luminaire from a catalog. The customer does not see the actual luminaire until it is assembled.
Luminaires have become increasingly complex, and customer demands have required that a variety of options be made available for customizing the luminaire. In addition to allowing customers to select the basic components of a luminaire such as a base, arm, and shaft, manufacturers may also allow a customer to customize the luminaire by selecting a specific receptacle, cover, arm, banner eyebolt, banner arm, basket holder, street sign, ladder rest, flag holder, internal louver, prismatic glass reflector, finial, material, type of lighting, ballast, shield, voltage, color, fuse, mount, and other options. Height, placement, and orientation of each option may also be customized.
Offering custom luminaires presents several problems. Since a customer does not see the actual luminaire until it has been assembled, the customer may receive an item that he or she did not expect. Further, it may be difficult for a customer to decide what options he or she prefers without seeing the luminaire in the context of the environment in which it will be placed. Further, if a customer places an order over the phone or by fax, mailing, or email, there is an increased likelihood of errors resulting from data entry or miscommunication as well as additional costs associated with manually processing the order.
Therefore, there is a need for a system which can assist a customer in evaluating and customizing the design of a luminaire before submitting an order and that can assist a customer in submitting the order with a decreased likelihood of error.
In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the invention includes a computer implemented system for assisting an operator in designing and customizing a virtual luminaire by selecting options. As the operator selects options, the system may display a sample of that option or a sample of the final luminaire. The system may adjust the options that the operator may select to prevent the operator from selecting incompatible or undesirable combinations of options. The system may also make recommendations for placement of an option or additional options. Additional information such as pricing or inventory data may also be provided. Multiple luminaires may be displayed and customized side by side.
In another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the invention includes a computer implemented system for assisting an operator in previewing a virtual luminaire in the context of a picture or graphical representation of its surroundings. This may be achieved by displaying a picture or graphical representation with the virtual luminaire placed in it. The virtual luminaire and the background graphic or picture may also be adjusted by the operator for location, size, color, and picture settings.
In yet another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the invention includes a computer implemented system for assisting an operator in submitting a list of part numbers and options for a luminaire to a manufacturer. This may be achieved by printing an order summary page that lists the selected part numbers, descriptions, and quantities. The order summary page may also be transmitted to a manufacturer or third party by electronic communication such as email or otherwise through a computer network. The operator may provide purchase information or additional information to accompany the order information.
In one aspect of the invention, an apparatus allows designing luminaires from sets of interchangeable parts such that one part from each set fits with one part from each of the other sets to form a complete luminaire: the apparatus includes a display device having a screen, a memory for storing images of the parts, a microprocessor programmed to display the stored images, and an input device for selecting one part from each set required to form a complete luminaire. The microprocessor is programmed to assemble on the screen the complete luminaire from the selected parts.
In another aspect of the invention, a system allows designing and ordering luminaires: the system includes a user interface including a display for selecting parts of a luminaire from different designs and for displaying a luminaire composed of the selected parts and a copy buffer capable of storing copies of the luminaire, usable for incorporating the luminaire into a document or file that can be printed or submitted electronically.
In yet another aspect of the invention, a method allows designing luminaires from sets of interchangeable parts such that one part from each set fits with one part from each of the other sets to form a complete luminaire: the method includes receiving input via an interface, the input representing a selection of interchangeable parts, displaying the complete luminaire or a partially complete luminaire composed of the selection of interchangeable parts, and storing the complete luminaire or the partially complete luminaire for the purpose of incorporating the complete luminaire or the partially complete luminaire into a document or a file that can be printed or submitted electronically.
In yet another aspect of the invention, a computer program product recorded on a computer readable medium allows designing luminaires from sets of interchangeable parts such that one part from each set fits with one part from each of the other sets to form a complete luminaire: the computer program product includes computer readable program code with a software interface for receiving input, the input representing a selection of interchangeable parts, computer readable program code for displaying the complete luminaire or a partially complete luminaire composed of the selection of interchangeable parts, and computer readable program code for storing the complete luminaire or the partially complete luminaire for the purpose of incorporating the complete luminaire or the partially complete luminaire into a document or a file that can be printed or submitted electronically.
These and other aspects of the present invention will become more apparent from the following description of certain exemplary embodiments of the present invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and exhibits, in which:
The flow diagrams, block diagrams, and screen shots representing the system and the process of using the same in the drawings are not intended to limit the present invention to a method of programming or a specific design of the system. These representations merely show certain exemplary embodiments of the present invention.
Referring to
Referring back to
Similarly “chose a shaft” display 204 allows for selecting a shaft. A possible set of shaft designs and an according user interface and display are shows in
The “choose arms” display 208 in
The “choose a luminaire” display 212 of
Once the complete lighting post luminaire is selected, the embodiment of
Referring back to
Once the complete ceiling mount luminaire is selected, the embodiment of
Referring back to
Once the complete pier mount luminaire is selected, the embodiment of
Referring back to
Once the complete wall mount luminaire is selected, the embodiment of
Referring back to
Once the complete bollard luminaire is selected, the embodiment of
This particular embodiment of the invention also allows for accelerated selection via entry of part numbers rather than visual selection. This feature is called “manual build.”
After one or more luminaires are selected, their parts may be changed or moved, i.e. transformed, further luminaires may be added, or selected luminaires may be deleted.
Once one or more luminaires have been selected, possibly transformed and scaled and optionally put into the context of a site, the system allows for storing the information usable for printing and/or electronic submission.
Specifically, the customer is led through the selection process by icons and text boxes on the screen of display 16. Other files could represent this data. At each step, the customer uses input device 10 to select one of the images representing parts shown on the screen. Microprocessor 12 could be programmed to limit the parts from one file that can be combined with parts from another file. For example, a pole may have a smaller or larger diameter than the base socket into which the pole fits. In such case, microprocessor 12 will not permit this combination of parts. A customer can select options to design and display a virtual luminaire. In this way the customer can easily create and change the design without having to build the luminaire.
Microprocessor 12 is programmed to superimpose the selected virtual luminaire on the selected background and change the size of the image to fit the background. A click and drag maneuver could be used to superimpose the virtual luminaire at the desired position on the background. A number of copies of the virtual luminaire could be superimposed on the background. If a perspective view is desired the sizes of successive copies are gradually reduced in sequence to give a three dimensional appearance to the image. Further, a color palette could be represented on the screen. To select a desired color for the virtual luminaire the customer simply clicks on the desired color swatch of the palette and the virtual luminaire assumes this color.
The microprocessor is also programmed to generate a purchase order (PO) from the customer selection. The PO is represented on the screen for editing, making a hard copy on a printer 18, and transmission to the manufacturer.
The relationship between the flow diagrams of
The description above only lays out a limited set of embodiments of the invention. Modifications that are still within the scope of the invention may be made to the embodiments described above.
Patent | Priority | Assignee | Title |
Patent | Priority | Assignee | Title |
7097330, | Aug 19 2003 | U S POLE COMPANY, INC | Outdoor lighting fixture |
Executed on | Assignor | Assignee | Conveyance | Frame | Reel | Doc |
Jul 21 2005 | U.S. Pole Company, Inc. | (assignment on the face of the patent) | / | |||
Oct 05 2005 | ORELLANA, ANGEL | U S POLE COMPANY, INC | ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS | 017095 | /0207 | |
Mar 10 2006 | U S POLE COMPANY, INC | CALTIUS PARTNERS III, LP | SECURITY INTEREST SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS | 018026 | /0082 | |
Mar 10 2006 | U S POLE COMPANY, INC | CALTIUS PARTNERS EXECUTIVE III, LP | SECURITY INTEREST SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS | 018026 | /0082 |
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